Interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a circuit board disposed in a mirror casing rearward of a reflective element. A plurality of light emitting diodes is mounted to the circuit board for providing backlighting for a display element disposed rearward of the reflective element. With at least some of the light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by actuated light emitting diodes passes through the display element and through a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of the reflective element for viewing of displayed information by the driver of the vehicle. Individual light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through a light reflecting element disposed between the circuit board and the display element. To the driver of the vehicle viewing the reflective element, the presence of the display element is substantially not apparent until at least one of the light emitting diodes is actuated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/632,204, filed Dec. 7, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,926,960, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/367,766, filed Feb.9, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,228, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/879,574, filed Jun. 28, 2004, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,488,080, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/328,886, filed Dec. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,912,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/988,210,filed Nov. 19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,387, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/448,700, filed onNov. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,925, which are incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to rearview mirror assemblies and, moreparticularly, to a modular variable reflectance interior rearview mirrorassembly for use in vehicles incorporating information displays andcontrols for various electronic or electrical functions.

Variable reflectance interior rearview mirror assemblies include twobasic designs: Prismatic mirrors and electrochromic mirrors.Conventional prismatic mirror assemblies include a reflective elementhaving a wedge shape in cross section and a mechanical actuator whichmoves the mirror case and reflective element between a day viewingposition and a night viewing position. Typical mechanical actuatorsinclude a bracket pivotally mounted to the rear wall of the casing and atoggle which pivots the mirror case and reflective element with respectto the bracket. However, these actuators often exhibit rotationalmovement between the casing and the bracket which can lead to increasedvibration in the casing and reflective element. With increasedvibration, the reflection in the reflective element is blurred. Inaddition, space within the prismatic mirror casing is limited by theactuator which moves within the casing.

More recently, prismatic mirrors have incorporated a number ofelectronic and electrical devices within the interior rearview mirrorassembly, for example lights for illuminating maps or the dashboard and,furthermore, information displays which provide information to thedriver or occupants of the vehicle such as warnings relating to thestatus of the passenger airbag. In commonly assigned application Ser.No. 09/244,726, filed by Jonathan E. DeLine and Niall R. Lynam, on Feb.5; 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,613, information displays are providedwhich include information relating to vehicle or engine status, warninginformation, and the like such as information relating to oil pressure,fuel remaining, time, temperature, compass headings for vehicledirection, and the like, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. With the increased number of devicesdesired to be housed in the mirror case and the increased number offunctions provided by the various devices, maximizing space or makingmore efficient use of the available space is highly desirable. Inaddition, because of the increase in included devices as well as thenumber of combined features, the rearview mirror assembly process hasbecome more difficult and complex.

Electrochromic mirror assemblies, on the other hand, include a variablereflectance element in the form of an electro-optic cell or unit inwhich reflectivity is changed in response to changes in light and theamount of electrical voltage applied across the cell/unit. Therefore,electrochromic mirrors do not require an actuator. As a result, theinterior of the electrochromic mirror casing has more space forincorporating further electronic and electrical features, such as mapreading lights, as noted above, blind spot detection systems, rainsensor assemblies, video cameras for actuating windshield wipers orother purposes, or receivers, such as remote keyless entry receivers,cellular phone receivers, microphones, and the like. Heretofore,electrochromic mirror designs have included mirror casings withstructural reinforcement which provides support for the reflectiveelement in the casing, support for additional electronic or electricalfeatures, and stiffness to the casing. However, such reinforcementsreduce the potential available space in the mirror casing.

In the interest of economy and ease of assembly, it is highly desirableto simplify the assembly process by having a common modular design forboth electrochromic and prismatic mirror assemblies. Heretofore, thedesigns of the mirror casings of the electrochromic and prismatic mirrorassemblies have had different internal structures which result fromtheir different mounting arrangements. As the desire to place moredevices and features in the casing has increased, the economy andefficiency use of space is taken on increased importance.

Consequently, there is a need for a rearview mirror structure whichpermits a wide range of electrical and electronic components to behoused in the mirror housing, and which uses a plurality of commoncomponents to assemble either electrochromic or prismatic mirrorassemblies as desired. Such structure would enhance the economy of themirror assembly and, furthermore, would provide a product familiar toconsumers and users regardless of whether the consumer/user purchases aprismatic or electrochromic mirror assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a rearview mirror assembly incorporatinga modular structure which provides for mounting either prismatic orelectrochromic reflective elements, as well as an improved mountingarrangement for information displays.

In one form of the invention, a modular interior rearview mirrorassembly for vehicles includes a mirror case having a reflectiveelement, with the mirror case being adapted to mount to a vehicle. Thereflective element includes a substrate and a reflective coating on oneside of the substrate and a window therethrough. A carrier is supportedin the case and includes a display element for displaying one or moreindicia through the window to define a display area on the reflectiveelement.

In one aspect, the case includes at least one electrical or electronicdevice which is supported by the carrier. For example, the device may bemounted to a circuit board, with the circuit board being supported bythe carrier.

In another aspect, the carrier is adhered to the reflective element. Inpreferred form, the carrier comprises a plate member, which includes afirst portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from the reflectiveelement, and from the first portion, with the second portion includingthe display element.

In yet other aspects, the carrier includes a plurality of lightassemblies, with each light assembly being isolated from the adjacentlight assemblies such that the light leakage between the respectivelight assemblies is substantially reduced. The carrier includes a bodywith a plurality of cavities formed therein and a plurality of lightsources associated with the cavities, with the display element extendingover the body and over the cavities. The cavities together with thelight sources direct light to the display element for displaying theindicia. In preferred form, each cavity includes at least one openingthrough which the light sources direct light to the display element.Each of the cavities includes a reflecting surface associated with eachlight source for directing and defusing the light from the respectivelight source. Preferably, the reflecting surfaces comprise curvedreflecting surfaces.

In yet further aspects, a frame is mounted to the display element, whichmounts the display element onto the carrier over the body and thecavities. For example, the frame may include a base wall mounted to thedisplay element, with the base wall including a plurality of openingscorresponding to and aligning with the cavities of the body. Theopenings expose areas of the display element for displaying the indicia.In preferred form, the frame includes recessed landing surfacesextending around each of the openings. The body includes projectingperimeter walls around each of the cavities, with the perimeter wallsseating on the landing surfaces of the frame to isolate each cavity ineach of the areas of the display plate member to substantially reducelight leakage between the respective light assemblies.

According to another form of the invention, a modular interior rearviewmirror assembly includes a mirror case having a prismatic reflectiveelement and an actuator assembly supporting the case for shifting themirror case between a day viewing position and a night viewing position.The actuator has a first member, which is adapted to mount the mirrorcase to a vehicle support mount, and a second member rigidly mounted tothe mirror case. The first member includes first and second portions,with the second member being pivotally mounted to the first portion ofthe first member about a pivot axis and, further coupled to the secondportion of the first member. The second member pivots about the firstportion to thereby shift the mirror case between the day viewingposition and the night viewing position.

In one aspect, the actuator further includes an actuator handlerotatably supported by the second member. Rotation of the actuatorhandle about an axis of rotation induces pivoting of the case about thefirst member on the pivot axis, which is generally orthogonal to theaxis of rotation.

In further aspects, the first member includes a downwardly dependingmember, with the rotation of the actuator handle moving the secondmember with respect to the downwardly depending member to thereby pivotthe case about the pivot axis.

In other aspects, the actuator assembly further includes a cam, with theactuator handle rotating the cam about the axis of rotation. When thecam rotates about the axis of rotation, the cam moves the first memberwith respect to the second member to thereby pivot the case between theday viewing position and the night viewing position.

Advantages provided by this invention include a structure having modularelements, which comprise common components for assembling a rearviewmirror assembly, regardless of whether an electrochromic/electro-opticmirror assembly or a prismatic mirror assembly is desired. Additionally,the invention provides a more stable actuator for the prismatic mirrorassembly design, which improves the vibration characteristics of andthus the visibility of reflected images in the reflective elementassembly. Further, the invention provides improved space economizingsupport for various electronic and/or electrical features included inthe assembly, as well as improved information display visible by driversand passengers in the vehicle in which the assembly is mounted.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of theinvention will become more apparent from the study of the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of theinterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention showing theinterior rearview mirror assembly in a viewing position on a frontwindshield of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rearview mirror assemblyof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 1 andtaken along line of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the mirror casing ofthe interior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1 including lightassemblies and a microphone module;

FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of the mirror case of the mirrorassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a rear elevation view of the mirror case of the mirrorassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting bracket andmirror support of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a front elevation view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the mirror mounting bracket ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 5C is a sectional side elevation of the mounting bracket takenalong line VC-VC of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5D is a side elevation view of the mirror mounting bracket of FIG.5;

FIG. 5E is another sectional side elevation of the mounting brackettaken along line VE-VE of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an attachment plate and LEDboard and switch board of the interior rearview mirror assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 6A is a front elevation of the attachment plate of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B is a rear elevation of the attachment plate of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6C is a sectional side elevation of the attachment plate takenalong line VIC-VIC of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6D is another sectional side elevation of the attachment platetaken along line VID-VID of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevation of a display module of theinterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is a rear elevation of the display module of FIG, 7;

FIG. 7B is a top view of the display module of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the display module of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7D is a sectional end elevation of the display module taken alongline VIID-VIID of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of theinterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention showing theinterior rearview mirror assembly in a viewing position on a frontwindshield of a vehicle;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional end elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation of the mirror case of the mirror assemblyof FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of the mirror case of the mirror assembly ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of an attachment plate and LEDboard of the mirror assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13A is a front elevation of the attachment plate of FIG. 13;

FIG. 13B is a rear elevation of the attachment plate of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13C is a sectional end elevation of the attachment plate takenalong line XIIIC-XIIIC of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13D is another sectional end elevation of the attachment platetaken along line XIIID-XIIID of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an actuator of the mirrorassembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14A is a front elevation of an outer bracket of the actuator ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 14B is a rear elevation view of the outer bracket of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14C is a side elevation of the outer bracket of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14D is a sectional side elevation of the outer bracket takenthrough line XIVD-XIVD of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14E is a front elevation of an inner bracket of the actuatorassembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 14F is a rear perspective of the inner bracket of FIG. 14E;

FIG. 14G is a top view of the inner bracket of FIG. 14E;

FIG. 14H is a sectional side elevation of the inner bracket taken alongline XIVH-XIVH of FIG. 14E;

FIG. 14I is an enlarged top plan view of an actuator cam of the actuatorassembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 14J is a bottom plan view of the actuator cam of FIG. 14I;

FIG. 14K is a side elevation of the actuator knob of the actuatorassembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 14L is a front elevation of the actuator knob of FIG. 14K;

FIG. 14M is a sectional plan view illustrating the actuator knobrotating the cam to a day viewing position;

FIG. 14N is a sectional plan view similar to FIG. 14M but illustratingthe actuator knob rotating the cam to a night viewing position;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation of the display module of the interiorrearview mirror assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15A is a rear elevation view of the display module of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 15B is a sectional end elevation of the display module taken alongline XVB-XVB of FIG. 15A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG, 1, a first embodiment of an interior rearviewmirror assembly 10 for vehicles of the present invention includes animproved structure incorporating modular elements or units and a lightmodule for illuminating an information display area 20 of assembly 10.In the illustrated embodiment, assembly 10 is adapted to be releasablycoupled or secured to the front windshield WS of a vehicle below theheadliner header section of the interior roof in position for viewing bythe driver in a direction generally rearwardly of the vehicle. It shouldbe understood that assembly 10 may also be mounted to the headliner orto other structures of the vehicle.

Mirror assembly 10 includes a mirror case or housing 12, a bezel 13, anda mirror reflective element 14. Bezel 13 includes an enlarged chin area15 positioned below the viewing area of reflective element 14, with aplurality of openings 15 a (FIG. 2) for receiving a user actuatableinterface; for example user actuatable buttons 16 a and indicators 16 bthat preferably are formed as a single unit key pad 16. Key pad 16 ispreferably formed from a resilient material and, most preferably from asilicone material. Key pad 16 is positioned behind bezel 13 and provideson/off functions and indicators for various vehicle and/or mirrorassembly functions, as will be more fully described below.

Case 12 is mounted to windshield WS by mounting bracket 24 and support28 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5). Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5A-5E, mountingbracket 24 includes a rearwardly extending ball mount 26 which mountsmirror assembly 10 onto a support arm 28. Bracket 24 is preferablyformed from a resinous polymeric or plastic material and, morepreferably, from a mineral filled polypropylene, such as glass ormineral filled nylon, for example RENY 252A. Ball mount 26 is preferablya zinc ball stud and preferably insert molded into bracket 24. Bracket24 is rigidly mounted to rear wall 38 of case 12 preferably by heatstaking onto projecting members, such as mounting bosses 34 and 36(FIGS. 4 and 4A) which project outwardly from back wall 38 of case 12and which extend into openings 25 provided at each corner of bracket 24(FIGS. 5 and 5A-B). In addition, bracket 24 includes outwardly extendingflanges 24 a each having an elongate opening 24 b and an elongateopening 24 c at its upper perimeter which receive corresponding flanges38 a in case 12 which are also heat staked to bracket 24. Flanges 38 aalso provide a guide for proper alignment of bracket 24 on back wall 38.In addition, flanges 38 a are located along ribs 38 c which provide alanding or seat 38 b for bracket 24 to further distribute the load ofbracket 24 across back wall 38 of case 12 and to increase the stiffnessof bracket 24.

When bracket 24 is mounted on bosses 34, 36, and flanges 38 a, ballmount 26 is aligned with an opening 40 provided on back wall 38 of case12 through which ball mount 26 extends for coupling to support arm 28(FIGS. 3 and 4). As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, support arm 28preferably comprises a dual ball mount arrangement which receives ballmount 26 on one end and a second ball mount 30 from a mirror mountingbracket 32 to permit positioning and adjustment of case 12 when mountedon the vehicle. Bracket 32 preferably comprises a break-away mountingbracket for releasably coupling to a windshield mounting button onwindshield WS or a header mount at an upper edge of the windshield in aconventionally known fashion. Examples of suitable mounting brackets ormounting arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,487,522;5,671,996; 5,820,097; 5,615,857; 5,330,149; 5,100,095; 4,930,742; or4,936,533 or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/781,408, filed Jan. 10,1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,097, all commonly-assigned to DonnellyCorp., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

In preferred form, bracket 24 has generally rectangular body 27 withopenings 25 provided at each corner for receiving bosses 34 and 36therein, and elongate openings 24 b, 24 c for receiving flanges 38 atherein. Body 27 may be solid or may be molded with planar rear surface27 a (FIG. 5B) and a plurality of voids or recessed areas 27 b definedby a plurality of interconnecting webs or ribs 27 c formed on its frontside which provide for a rigid bracket 24 without the added weightassociated with a solid bracket.

Reflective element 14 preferably comprises an electro-optic reflectanceelement or unit that includes a transparent front sheet 14 a and atransparent rear sheet 14 b having a reflective coating 14 c applied toits rear surface (FIG. 2). Sheets 14 a and 14 b are preferably glasssheets, with the front glass sheet 14 a being slightly offset relativeto second glass sheet 14 b such that the upper and lower edges projectfor connection to appropriate metal connection strips. A variable lighttransmittance, electrochromic medium 14 d is sandwiched between frontand rear sheets 14 a and 14 b. The front surface of rear glass 14 b andrear surface of front glass 14 a each have a transparentelectroconductive coating, such as an indium tin oxide or doped tinoxide or the like, to conduct electricity across electrochromic medium14 d by way of the connection strips secured at the offset top andbottom of the front and rear glass sheets 14 a and 14 b. When anelectrical voltage is applied across the electro-optic element betweenfront glass 14 a and rear glass 14 b, the transmittance of layer 14 dvaries. For example, it may darken or become more opaque, to reducelight reflected by the reflective coating 14 c on reflective rear glass14 b. Electrochromic medium 14 d may, for example, comprise anelectrochemichromic medium such as described in commonly assigned U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,140,455 and 5,151,816, or a solid state electrochromicmedium such as described in the following publications: N. R. Lynam,“Electrochromic Automotive Day/Night Mirrors”, SAE Technical PaperSeries 870636 (1987); N. R. Lynam, “Smart Windows for Automobiles”, SAETechnical Paper Series 900419 (1990); N. R. Lynam and A. Agrawal,“Automotive Applications of Chromogenic Materials”, Large AreaChromogenics: Materials and Devices for Transmittance Control, C. M.Lampert and C. G. Granquist, EDS., Optical Engineering Press, Washington(1990), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties. Other suitable electrochromic reflectors aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414;5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012 or 5,117,346, which are all commonlyassigned to Donnelly Corporation, the disclosures of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties.

Typically, the two glass plates sandwich the electrochromic medium. Areflective coating may be deposited either on the rear most surface awayfrom the viewer (to create a fourth surface reflector as is known in theart) or disposed on the front surface of the rear most substrate (tocreate a third surface reflector as is known in the art). The substratescan be of equal or different glass thicknesses. The electrochromicmedium can be a liquid medium or a solid medium, such as a solid polymermatrix electrochromic medium such as is disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/350,930 filed Jul. 12, 1999 titled“Electrochromic Polymeric Solid Films, Manufacturing ElectrochromicDevices Using Such Films, And Processes For Making Such Solid Films AndDevices” to Desaraju V. Varaprasad et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,306,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein. For example, an interior rearview mirror can comprise a 1.1 mmthick front substrate, a 2 mm thick rear substrate, and an aluminumsilver, silver alloy, aluminum alloy or the like highly reflective metalfilm on the front surface of the rear substrate (i.e. third surfacereflector) and the electrochromic medium may be solid such aselectrochromic Solid Polymer Matrix (SPM)™ comprising a color changingcross-linked polymer solid film. Most preferably, the front substratecomprises a glass plate of thickness less than about 1.6 mm, mostpreferably about 1.1 mm thickness or lower, and the rear substratecomprises a glass plate of thickness equal to or greater than about 1.6mm, More preferably greater than about 1.8 mm thickness, most preferablyequal to or greater than about 2.0 mm thickness. The rearmost surface ofthe rear substrate (the fourth surface as known in the mirror art) isreflector coated with a high reflecting metal film such as of aluminumor silver, or an alloy of aluminum or silver. Most preferably, thefrontmost surface of the rear substrate (the third surface as known inthe mirror art) is reflector coated with a high reflecting metal filmsuch as of aluminum or silver, or an alloy of aluminum or silver.

Optionally, the front surface of the front substrate 14 a (i.e. thefirst surface as known in the mirror art) can be coated with a surfacecoating or otherwise modified so as to reduce the build up ofcondensation or mist such as can occur in humid climates. For example,the front surface of the front substrate 14 a (which is the surface uponwhich condensation/mist might gather or which would be subject toraindrops should the vehicle be a convertible and be driven with hooddown during rain) may be optionally coated with a water wettingcharacteristic modification coating such as a hydrophilic coating suchas a photocatalytic hydrophilic coating system such as is disclosed inJapanese Patent Abstract JP11050006A, issued Feb. 23, 1999, titled“Pretreatment of surface Forming Photocatalytic Hydrophilic Film andCleaning Agent and Undercoating Composition Used Therein” to Mitsumasaet al of Toto Ltd, and in JP10330131A, issued Dec. 15, 1998, titled“Hydrophilic Thin Film and Vehicular Mirror and Glass Product Using TheSame Hydrophilic Thin Film” to Tsutomu et al of Ichikoh Ind Ltd, and inJP10036144A, issued Feb. 10, 1998, titled “Antifogging Element” to Toruet al of Murakami Corporation, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,187, issuedMar. 3, 1998, titled “Electrochromic Mirrors and Devices” to Varaprasadet al of Donnelly Corporation, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein. Also, such wetting characteristicmodification coatings and techniques, such as photocatalytic hydrophiliccoatings, can be used for the first (frontmost) surface of anon-electrochromic reflective element such as a prismatic interiormirror reflective element (and for the first surface of electrochromicexterior mirror reflective elements and of metal coated, such aschromium coated, exterior non-electrochromic mirror reflectiveelements).

In order to control the reflectance of reflective element 14, case 12includes a light sensor, which is positioned in hollow socket 39 whichincludes a rearward opening 39 a in back wall 38 of case 12 (FIGS. 4, 4Aand 4B). Positioned in socket 39 is a lens cover 39 b through which thelight sensor detects the light level outside the vehicle. The drivingcircuit for varying the transmittance of layer 14 d is preferablysupported on electrochromic circuit board 17 (FIG. 2), which issupported on an attachment plate 18 via a circuit board 21, describedbelow. Examples of suitable driving circuits can be found in thereferenced U.S. patents.

As best understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, reflective element 14 issupported and retained in a rear facing opening of case 12 by bezel 13.Bezel 13 and case 12 are both formed preferably from resinous polymericmaterial or plastic and, more preferably, a melt-processible plastic,and most preferably an engineering polymer, for example an ABS plastic.Bezel 13 extends around and over the perimeter of reflective element 14and engages a plurality of engaging structures 12 d (FIG. 4) provided atthe perimeter of case 12 to thereby support and retain reflectiveelement 14 in case 12. Mounted to the rear surface 14 b′ of sheet 14 bby an adhesive are foam or resilient pads 12 b (FIG. 2) which rest onribs or webbing 12 c (FIGS. 2 and 4) provided on case 12. Webbing 12 cextends diagonally across case 12 at each end of case 12 so as toprovide additional support for the end portions of reflective element 14when bezel 13 is mounted to case 12. Pads 12 b act as shock absorbers toreduce the vibration in reflective element 14 and, further, reduce therisk of breaking glass sheets 14 a and 14 b during impact. In thepreferred form, pads 12 b are cross linked polyethylene foam. In theillustrated embodiment, pads 12 b comprise generally semicircular padsand generally follow the outline of the ends of reflective element 14.However, it can be appreciated that pads 12 b may have other shapes orconfigurations, and may be positioned in other locations.

As best seen in FIG. 2, reflective element 14 includes a window W whichprovides a display area 20. Window W (FIG. 1) is formed in thereflective element, for example by the absence or reduction, such as byremoval, of a portion of the reflective coating 14 c of second sheet 14b. As an alternative to removing or substantially removing the mirrorreflector coating from a rear surface of the substrate in order tocreate a light transmitting window therethrough, a semi-transparent butsignificantly reflective coating can be used to function akin to aone-way mirror for the display. For example, a silicon mirror can beused or a dichroic filter, preferably with a bandpass of lighttransmission tuned to match the wavelength of the light emitted by thedisplay placed therebehind, can be used, and such silicon and dichroicfilters are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,663 to Varaprasad et al andassigned to Donnelly Corp., and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,492 to Roberts,and assigned to Muth Corp., both of which disclosures are incorporatedin their entireties by reference herein. As will be more fully describedbelow, a display element 54 of a light module 19 and light emittedtherefrom are positioned behind reflective element 14 and are alignedwith and transmit through the corresponding light transmitting window Wcreated in the reflector of reflective element 14 for displaying indiciathrough window W to form display area 20. Where the reflective coatingis only reduced in thickness as compared to the absence of thereflective coating, the display area will not become apparent untilactuated, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

In the illustrated embodiment 10, window W comprises a generallytrapezoidal area, which is preferably located at a central lower edge 20a of reflective element 14. However, it should be understood that thedisplay area can be located elsewhere, for example along an upper edgeor side edge of reflective element 14. Display area 20 is used toprovide information, such as by way of alpha-numeric indicia or symbolicor graphical indicia, such as icons, including for example passengersafety information, such as Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint (PSIR)status or Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) status.

The luminous intensity of the Passenger Side inflatable Restraintdisplay that indicates the status of activation/deactivation ofpassenger-side airbags (or of Side-airbag Inflatable Restraint displayin the case where the vehicle is equipped with side airbags) should besufficiently intense so as to be readily visible by vehicle occupants,even under high ambient lighting conditions such as during daylightdriving. In this regard, it is desirable that the luminous intensity ofthe display, as displayed to the vehicle occupant, be at least about 100candelas/sq. meter during daytime; preferably at least about 250candelas/sq. meter, more preferably at least about 500 candelas/sq.meter and most preferably, be at least about 750 candelas/sq. meter inluminous light intensity. Also, it is desirable that the daytime displaylight intensity be reduced during night time driving to a lower luminouslight intensity, preferably below about 50 candelas/sq. meter, morepreferably to below about 30 candelas/sq. meter and most preferably tobelow about 15 candelas/sq. meter. Various methods can be employed toachieve night-time display dimming including using a signal, typically apulse-width modulated signal, from the vehicle that cause the mirrordisplay to dim in tandem with the lights in the instrument panel.Another option is to use a mirror-mounted photosensor that causes themirror-mounted display to dim when low ambient conditions are detected,such as is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,416,313 and 5,285,060, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. Should themirror mounted display be displaying from behind a window created in anelectrochromic reflective element, then display re-brightening tocompensate for any decrease in transmission of the electrochromic mediummay be employed, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,416,313 and5,285,060. Should a compass display be used in the electrochromic mirrorassembly that is subject already to display re-brightening, then themirror-mounted airbag status display may be slaved off the same control,or it may be subject to an independent control. Also, where the airbagstatus display dims at night under command of a signal from the vehicleelectronics such an instrumentation panel light dimming signal, thestate of coloration of any electrochromic reflective element present canbe monitored, and the intensity of the airbag or similar display presentcan be increased when it is determined that the electrochromic elementhas dimmed due to the presence of glare from following headlights.

As best seen in FIG. 3, light module 19 contacts rearward surface 14 b′of sheet 14 b and is aligned with window W and includes a display module52 on which various indicia are formed or etched or provided thereon(FIGS. 2, 6, 7, and 7A-7D). Preferably, display module 52 includesindicia formed thereon, in which case the indicia are illuminated bylight sources 23 described in greater detail below. Optionally, indiciamay be formed by selectively actuating light sources. For example, anarray of light sources may be provided with selected light sources inthe array being actuated to project patterns of light onto the displaymodule which patterns form the indicia.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 7A-7D, display module 52 is an assembly or unitof similar trapezoidal shape to window W and includes a display element54, which is preferably black and translucent with the indicia beingformed, etched, or printed on a rear surface 54 a of element 54. Aspreviously noted; indicia may be formed by selective actuation of lightsources 23 as well. Element 54 is preferably a plate element formed fromresinous polymeric material such as glass filled polycarbonate, forexample available under the name BAYER SCR26033705PC. Optionally, theindicia may be formed by partial removal of the black pigment so thatthe indicia is not visible until back-lit and illuminated by lightsources 23, more fully described below. As best seen in FIGS. 7A-7Dmounted to rear surface 54 a of element 54 is a frame or carrier member58, which is also preferably formed from a resinous polymeric material.Frame 58 may be adhered to element 54 by an adhesive or may beintegrally molded with element 54. Frame 58 is also preferablytrapezoidal shape and includes a base or back wall 66 and a perimeterwall 60 which defines upper and lower side walls 62 and 64 and end sidewalls 63 a and 63 b. Side walls 62 and 64 include elongated openings orslots 65 for mounting graphics module 52 to attachment member 18 overlight assemblies 90, 92, and 94, more fully described below. Perimeterwall 60 projects outwardly from back wall 66, with upper side wall 62and lower side wall 64 being interconnected at opposed ends by end sidewalls 63 a and 63 b and intermediate walls 68 and 70. Projectingoutwardly from intermediate walls 68 and 70 are a pair of stops 72 whichact as locators for installing display module 52 onto attachment member18.

As best seen in FIG. 7A, back wall 66 includes a plurality of openings74, 76, and 78 which expose areas or regions of element 54. Located orformed on those areas of exposed plate 54 are the indicia, such as “on”,“off” and “passenger air bag” with its associated icon (FIG. 7). Thepassenger side air bag on/off signal may be derived from various typesof seat occupancy detectors such as by video surveillance of thepassenger seat as disclosed in commonly-assigned PCT Application No.PCT/US94/01954, filed Feb. 25, 1994, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference, or by ultrasonic or sonar detection, infraredsensing, pyrodetection, weight detection, or the like. Alternately,enablement/displayment of the passenger side air bag operation can becontrolled manually such as through a user operated switch operated withthe ignition key of the vehicle in which assembly 10 is mounted asdescribed in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/799,734, filed Feb. 12, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,772, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.It should be understood that other indicia may be used and, further,that the size of the areas may be increased or decreased as desired.When mounted to attachment member 18, openings 78, 76, and 74 arealigned with respective light assemblies 90, 92, and 94 of attachmentmember 18, as will be more fully described in reference to attachmentmember 18. Extending around each opening 74, 76, and 78 are generallyplanar landing surfaces 74 a, 76 a, and 78 a, respectively, which areformed by portions of back wall 66. Each landing surface 74 a, 76 a, and78 a is surrounded by a divider wall 80 which extends betweenintermediate walls 68 and 70 adjacent upper wall 62 and lower wall 64and extends between upper wall 62 and lower wall 64 between landing 74 aand 76 a and between 76 a and 78 a. In this manner, landing surfaces 74a, 76 a, and 78 a are recessed below the upper surface of divider wall80. Wall 80, therefore, provides a barrier between each opening 74, 76,and 78 and substantially reduces, if not prevents, light leakage betweenthe respective light assemblies 90, 92, and 94 so that each indicia canbe illuminated without illuminating an adjacent indicia. Preferably,upper and lower walls 62 and 64 include notched surfaces 82, which alignwith the respective slotted openings 65 to guide the openings onto thecorresponding receiving structures on attachment plate 18.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 6A-6D, attachment member 18 comprises agenerally rectangular plate 84 formed from a resinous polymericmaterial, preferably an ABS, for example GE CYCOLAC AR 2402, availablefrom GE Plastics. Plate 84 includes a first upper planar portion 84 aand a second offset portion 84 b which is offset rearwardly fromreflective element 14. Light assemblies 90, 92, and 94 are formed onoffset portion 84 b over which display module 52 is mounted to formlight module 19. Display module 52 is mounted to attachment member 18 bya plurality of projecting flanges 88, which extend into slotted openings65 provided in upper and lower side walls 62 and 64 preferably guided bynotched surfaces 82. Light assemblies 90, 92, and 94 are formed by anelongated generally rectangular body 100 which projects outwardly fromoffset portion 84 b towards display module 52. Body 100 includes upper,lower, left, and right sides 102, 104, 106, and 108. Recessed intorectangular body 100 are three recessed cavities 110, 112, and 114 whichrespectively form light assemblies 90, 92, and 94 that direct light fromlight sources 23 toward display module 52. Light sources 23 are mountedto circuit board 22 (FIG. 6), which in turn is mounted to rear surface18 a of attachment member 18. Each cavity 110, 112, and 114 includes aplurality of openings 118 which align with and through which lightsources 23 project light toward display module 52. In the illustratedembodiment, cavity 110 comprises an elongate generally rectangularcavity with six openings, while cavities 112 and 114 each comprisegenerally rectangular or square cavities having two openings formedtherein. Cavities 110, 112, and 114 each include parabolic reflectingsurfaces 120, 122, and 124 (FIGS. 6, 6A, 6C, and 6D), respectively,associated with each opening 118 to defuse the light from light sources23 to provide uniform light across display area 20. It should beunderstood that the shape and size of the cavities may be varied, and,furthermore, that arrays of light sources may be housed in cavities 110,112, and 114. In addition, the light from the light sources may beselectively dimmed such the display is dimmed, as would be understood bythose skilled in the art. Such dimming of the display may be automaticor may optionally be controlled by an occupant of the vehicle, forexample by a dimmer switch.

In preferred form, light sources 23 comprise non-incandescent lightsources, for example light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are adapted toprovide backlighting of display module 52 when the circuit board 22 ispositioned on attachment member 18. A preferred light emitting diode isa NICHIA white light emitting diode available from Nichia ChemicalIndustries of Tokyo, Japan, under Model Nos. NSPW 300AS, NSPW 500S, NSPW310AS, NSPW 315AS, NSPW 510S, NSPW 515S, and NSPW WF50S, and provideslow level, non-incandescent, white light for illuminating the indicia ondisplay module 52. Optionally, one or more light sources 23 may beconnected to operate at all times during the operation of the vehicle soas to continuously illuminate the indicia, for example the words“passenger air bag.” The remaining light sources aligned with the words“off” and “on,” respectively, and may be individually selectivelyactivated to provide backlighting for those words individually. Thelight sources behind the status of the air bag, either off (disabled) oron (enabled) are selectively operated.

Alternately, other emitting elements can be used to display information(including alpha-numerical information) such as incandescent displays,vacuum fluorescent displays, electroluminescent displays, field-emissiondisplays, organic polymeric light emitting displays, or cathode ray tubedisplays. The various displays useful in this invention can also bereconfigurable so that certain critical alpha-numeric or symbolicinformation, icons or other indicia will override or supplant normal,primary information for a selected period of time such as for a trafficwarning, vehicle blind spot presence detection, engine operation changeor deficiency, compass heading change, incoming cellular phone call orthe like.

Circuit board 22 is mounted on attachment member 18 by rearwardlyprojecting flexible flanges 130 (FIG. 6B) which extend intocorresponding openings 132 provided on circuit board 22 to releasablycouple circuit board 22 to attachment member 18 and further to positioneach light source 23 with a respective opening 118 of cavities 110, 112,and 114. As best seen in FIGS. 6C and 6D, when circuit board 22 ismounted to attachment member 18 by flanges 130, light sources 23 arealigned with openings 118 and further are received in a recesses 134formed on rear side 100 a of block member 100. In this manner, lightleakage from the respective light sources is substantially reduced and,more preferably, essentially eliminated.

Referring again to FIG. 6, extending around each cavity 110, 112, and114 is a projecting perimeter wall 110 a, 112 a, and 114 a,respectively. Perimeter walls 110 a, 112 a, and 114 a align with and areseated on landing surfaces 78 a, 76 a, and 74 a, of display module 52.As best understood from FIG. 3, when circuit board 22 is mounted toattachment member 18 and display module 52 is mounted to attachmentmember 18 and positioned against rear surface 14 b′ of second sheet 14b, openings 78 a, 76 a, and 74 a align with respective light assemblies90, 92, and 94 and light from the respective light sources 23 isdirected by the curved reflecting surfaces 120, 122, and 124, preferablycompound curved reflecting surfaces, and most preferably parabolicreflecting surfaces to cause the light to be defused and, furthermore,to create substantially uniform light across display area 20 for eachrespective indicia or group of indicia. In addition, since substantiallyall the light from each respective light source 23 is directed throughopenings 118 and each perimeter wall 110 a, 112 a, and 114 a of eachrespective cavity abuts and substantially seals against the landingsurfaces of each respective display area, light leakage between cavitiesis substantially reduced, if not eliminated. In other words, each lightassembly is isolated from adjacent light assemblies. As a result, straylight between the indicia on display module 52 is substantiallyeliminated. Optionally, perimeter walls 110 a, 112 a, and 114 a maycomprise a compressible plastic or resilient material, such as rubber,to enhance the seal between each light assembly 90, 92, and 94 andopenings 78 a, 76 a, and 74 a, in which case, manufacturing toleranceson the respective parts may be relaxed.

More preferably, a display module is provided that encompasses at leasta light emitting source such as LED source, electroluminescent source,organic polymeric light emitting source, a vacuum fluorescent lightsource or an incandescent source. The light emitting source of thedisplay module may comprise individual light emitting segments orelements that are arranged to create an indicia when selectivelyilluminated. The light emitting source can be disposed behind a mask insuch a manner such that the mask forms the indicia when the mask isviewed by the observer. Optionally and preferably, the display moduleincludes appropriate display electric drivers and/or connections forillumination of the display and any ancillary mechanical support orpackaging.

Also mounted to attachment member 18 and aligned with key pad 16 is aswitch board 86, for example a wireless telecommunication interfacesystem, such as an ONSTAR® switch board available from General Motors ofDetroit, Mich., for enabling buttons 16 a and indicators 16 b of key pad16. As best seen in FIG. 6, switch board 86 includes a plate member 136with an upper portion 136 a and a lower portion 136 b that supports aplurality of switches 138 and associated light sources 140 a. Eachswitch 138 and respective light source 140 a is aligned with arespective button 16 a on key pad 16 (FIG. 2). Switches 138 arepreferably pressure activated switches and activate their associatedlight sources 140 a when a respective button 16 a on key pad 16 isinitially pressed. Similarly, when the respective button 16 a on key pad16 is pressed a second time, its associated switch 138 is deactivated,which in turn deactivates its associated light source 140 a. Aspreviously noted, key pad 16 is preferably a resilient material, morepreferably a translucent rubber, such as silicone, and may include oneor a plurality of buttons (as shown) depending on the desiredapplication. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, key pad 16includes indicators 16 b which are illuminated by light sources 140 b,which are also supported on switch board 86. Light sources 140 a and 140b are preferably non-incandescent light sources, such as LEDs, such aspreviously described in reference to light source 23. Buttons 16 a mayprovide a wide variety of functions, including, for example, functionsassociated with the wireless telecommunication interface system.Indicators 16 b may provide information relating to the activationstatus of selected functions within the vehicle or mirror assembly.

Referring again to FIG. 6, switch board 86 is mounted to attachmentmember 18 on flexible flanges 142, located below light module 19 whichrespectively engage notches 144 provided on a lower edge 136 c ofportion 136 b. In order to assist alignment of switch board 86 onattachment member 18, plate 136 includes an elongated slot or groove 145for receiving a projecting pin 146 provided on offset portion 84 b ofattachment member 18. In addition, bezel 13 includes an alignment member13 a which projects inwardly and through openings 13 c and 13 d providedon switch board 86 and on attachment member 18, respectively (FIG. 3).Furthermore, upper portion 136 a of plate 136 seats on a recessed tab147 provided on first portion 84 a of attachment member 18. Tab 147provides a support and furthermore, provides a guide to assure thatswitch board 86 is properly aligned on attachment member 18. Inaddition, attachment member 18 includes a plurality of downwardlyextending flexible flanges 148 which engage and apply a spring pressureto releasably hold plate 136 in position on flexible flanges 142.

Mounted to the rear surface 18 a of attachment plate 18 is a secondcircuit board 21. As best seen in FIG. 6B, attachment member 18 includesadditional flexible flanges 150 which project rearwardly from rearsurface 18 a of attachment member 18 to engage corresponding openingsprovided in circuit board 21 to mount circuit board 21 onto attachmentmember 18. Circuit board 21 preferably carries EC circuitry, for exampleEC board 17, for the operation of electro-optic reflective element 14,and circuitry for light sources 23, light assemblies 42, microphonemodule 44 also housed in case 12, and for various other vehicle and/ormirror functions. For example, circuit board 21 may include electronicand electric devices, including a blind spot detection system, such asthe type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/799,734entitled “VEHICLE BLIND SPOT DETECTION AND DISPLAY SYSTEM”, invented bySchofield et al. and filed Feb. 12, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,772,or rain sensor systems, for example rain sensor systems which includewindshield contacting rain sensors such as described in U.S. Pat. No.4,973,844 entitled “VEHICULAR MOISTURE SENSOR AND MOUNTING APPARATUSTHEREFORE”, or non-windshield contacting rain sensors, such as describedin PCT International Application PCT/US94/05093 entitled “MULTI-FUNCTIONLIGHT SENSOR FOR VEHICLE”, published as WO 94/27262 on Nov. 24, 1994,the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties. Also, circuit board 21 may include circuitry formirror mounted video cameras, which are used to visually detect thepresence of moisture on the windshield and actuate windshield wipersaccordingly, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/621,863 filed Mar. 25, 1996, entitled “VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROLUSING IMAGING SENSOR” by Schofield et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,094,mirror mounted cameras for vehicle internal cabin monitoring disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,897 and 5,760,962, both commonly assigned toDonnelly Corporation, which are hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties. Other electronic or electrical devices mounted tocircuit board 21 may include for example home access transmitters, ahigh/low or daylight running beam low headlight controller, a hands freecellular phone attachment, a video device such as a video camera forinternal cabin surveillance and/or video telephone function, remotekeyless entry receiver, a compass, a seat occupancy detector, a tripcomputer, an intrusion detector and the like. As used in thespecification, an electrical device encompasses an electrically operatedaccessory or device such as a map light or the like. An electronicdevice encompasses an electronic circuit board or PCB (such as anautomatic light dimming circuit board, a compass sensing and directionalcircuit board or the like) or electron devices or circuits or systems,including electron tubes, amplifiers and transistors and other devicesthat do the work of electron tubes.

In order to connect the various electrical or electronic devices in case12 to the vehicle electrical system and on board computers, circuitboard 21 includes a connector 21 b, such as a 16-pin connector, mountedto rear surface 21 a (FIG. 2). When mirror assembly 10 is fullyassembled, connector 21 b aligns with an access opening 38 a provided onback wall 38 of case 12 (FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B) through which connector 21b is then connected to the vehicle electrical system and computer by wayof a plug connector and cable. When fully assembled with display module52, circuit boards 21 and 22, and switch board 86, attachment member 18is mounted to reflective element 14 preferably by an adhesive, such assilicone adhesive, an acrylic adhesive or the like. Alternatively,attachment member 18 may be mounted to other mounting structuresprovided in case 12. Furthermore when attachment member is fullyassembled and inserted in to case 12, display element 54 of light module19 and light emitted therefrom are positioned behind reflective element14 and are aligned with and transmit through the corresponding lighttransmitting window W created in the reflector of reflective element 14for displaying indicia through window W to form display area 20.

The interior rearview mirror assembly may also incorporate a vehicletracking unit which tracks where a vehicle is located, and is thususeful should the vehicle be stolen, or should the driver need emergencyassistance at a remote location whose address is unknown to the driver,similar to an ONSTAR® System noted above. Such a system is availablefrom ATX Technologies of San Antonio, Tex. and uses global positioningsatellites and cellular communications to pinpoint the location of thevehicle. Assistance can be rendered by the ATX supplied unit (known asan On-Guard Tracker (TM) unit) on how to handle emergency situations,direction can be rendered, remote unlocking of door locks can beachieved if the owner's keys are misplaced or locked in the vehicle.Messages (such as e-mail messages, hazard warning messages, vehiclestatus messages, page messages, etc.) can be displayed at display area20 or at the interior mirror assembly, where the driver is alwaysregularly looking during the normal driving task.

As previously noted and best seen in FIG. 4, case 12 optionally supportsa pair of light assemblies 42 and a microphone module 44 in openings 46and 48 provided or farmed in bottom wall 50 of case 12. Light assemblies42 provide light for the interior of the vehicle and may comprise maplights or dashboard illumination lights. Light assemblies 42 eachinclude a dome-shaped reflector housing 42 a with a cover 42 b.Reflector housings 42 a include mounting tabs 43 a which are heat stakedonto bosses 160 a and pins 160 b which project from back wall 38 of case12 to retain the housing in openings 46 in the mirror case. Reflectorhousings 42 a each include an opening 42 c to receive a respective lightbulb 158 which projects thereinto from circuit board 21. Reflectorhousings 142 preferably comprise housings molded from resinous polymericor plastic material and, more preferably, polycarbonate housings, forexample LEXAN 121 and are provided with a reflective coating and, morepreferably, are vacuum metalized. In preferred form, light bulbs 158comprise incandescent bulbs, and are supported by bulb holders 158 awhich are mounted to rear side 21 a of circuit board 21. Bulb holders158 a and bulbs 158 project downwardly and are inclined at an angle suchthat bulbs 158 extend into reflector housings 42 a through openings 42c. Covers 42 b preferably comprise transparent lens covers and morepreferably optical lens covers preferably formed from polycarbonate oracrylic. For example, covers 42 b may include pyramid optics, which hidethe light bulb positioned in reflective housing 42 a and, furthermore,may include optics to direct light as desired locations in the vehicle.Optionally, covers 42 b may comprise clear parabolic lenses. Referringagain to FIG. 4, covers 42 b are semi-circular shaped with flexibleflanges or fingers, for example snap fingers 42 d, for engaging bottomwall 50 of case 12. In addition, each cover 42 b preferably includes anelongated, L-shaped arm 42 e, which can be used to retrieve bulbs 158from bulb holder 158 a when bulbs 158 are no longer functional.Alternatively, non-incandescent light sources may be used in lightassemblies 42. For example, a cluster of a plurality of at least four,more preferably at least six LEDs may be used, which most preferablydirect white light to a targeted area. Light assemblies 42 may include avariety of emitting sources such as high intensity amber and reddishorange light emitting diode sources, such as solid state light emittingdiode LED sources utilizing double hydro junction AIGaAs/GaAs MaterialTechnology such as very high intensity red LED lamps T/1¾ (5 mm)HLMP-4100/4101 available from Hewlett Packard Corporation of Pallo Alto,Calif., or transparent substrate aluminum indium gallium phosphide(AlInGaP) Material Technology, commercially available from HewlettPackard Corporation, of Pallo Alto, Calif. Also, blue or white LEDs canbe used or a combination of individual different colored diodes can beused with the color mixing therefrom to form a desired color.Optionally, a plurality of LEDs such as a cluster of four, six, eight orthe like LEDs can be used to target and illuminate a local area forhigher illumination at that area, such as may be useful in a map light(most preferably illuminating the target area with white light).

Light assemblies 42 are actuated by switches 162 which are alsopreferably mounted to circuit board 21. Switches 162 include buttons 162a which extend downwardly from circuit board 21 and are angled to extendthrough bottom wall 50 of case 12. In the illustrated embodiment, bottomwall 50 includes semicircular notches 164 a along the perimeter ofopenings 46. In addition, covers 42 b each include a correspondingsemicircular notch 164 b which together with notches 164 a form openingthrough which buttons 162 a extend for easy access by an occupant of thevehicle at the bottom surface of case 12. Examples of other lightassemblies, such as map lights or the like, which may be incorporatedinto case 12 are described in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,669,698; 5,820,245; 5,671,996; 5,813,745; 5,178,448; 4,733,336; and4,646,210; the disclosures of all of which are herein incorporated intheir entireties.

Microphone module 44 preferably comprises a microphone module describedin commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/382,720entitled “ACCESSORY MODULE FOR VEHICLE”, filed by Jonathan E. DeLine andNiall R. Lynam on Aug. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,823, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Microphonemodule 44 includes at least one microphone (not shown) which issupported in a microphone housing 44 a. Housing 44 a is positioned inopening 48 of bottom wall 50 of casing 12 and is held in place byflexible flanges 48 a which engage housing 44 a, as will be understoodby those skilled in the art. Microphone module 44 is electricallyconnected to a microphone connector 44 d supported on circuit board 22by pair of lead wires 44 c. Microphone module 44 or a plurality ofmicrophone modules optionally provide hands-free input to a wirelesstelecommunication system such as the ONSTAR® system in use in GeneralMotors vehicles. Most preferably such microphones provide input to anaudio system that transmits and communicates wirelessly with a remotetransceiver, preferably in voice recognition mode. Such systems aredescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/382,720, filed Aug. 25,1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,823, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

In this regard it may be desirable to use audio processing techniquessuch as digital sound processing to ensure that vocal inputs to thevehicular audio system are clearly distinguished from cabin ambientnoise such as from wind noise, HVAC, and the like. Also, noisecancellation techniques such as destructive interference canadvantageously be used, whereby the signal as picked up by themicrophone is processed, the human vocal signal is distinguished fromthe noise signal, and whereby the noise signal is fed back 180 degreesout of phase with itself in order to cancel out the noise by destructiveinterference and so enhance the vocal signal to background noise ratio.

Preferably the microphone interfaces to an audio system that includes ananalog to digital converter and/or a digital to analog converter for thepurpose of converting the analog output of the microphone to a digitalsignal for input to a digital sound processor and for conversion of thedigital output of a digital sound processor to an analog signal forwireless transmission to a remote transceiver. Digital sound processingtechniques may be used to enhance the vocal signal to background noisediscrimination ratio. Also, both analog and digital audio filteringtechniques can be used to enhance the vocal to background noise ratio,and so assist clarity of transmission and/or receipt at a remotereceiver and so improve accuracy in voice recognition mode. Also,physical techniques such as sound insulation, acoustic wave guides,angling of microphones to selectively detect speech versus backgroundnoise, use of a directed microphone directed to a potential humanspeaker in conjunction with a more omnidirectional microphone intendedto detect background noise can be used. An adaptive signal processingsystem can be used to enhance vocal to noise ratio. Mechanicalcancellation of ambient noise can be provided, as can a noise cancelingpressure gradient microphone, preferably in conjunction with acousticports including voice and noise ports. Such a system is disclosed inWorld Patent publication WO 9817046 to D. Andrea of Apr. 23, 1998, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In this manner, all the electronics and electrical devices, with theexception of the optional microphone module 44, may be supported,formed, and/or housed on attachment member 18. Thus, mirror assembly 10can be quickly and easily assembled, with attachment member 18 forming acarrier member, cartridge or modular unit/assembly which can be quicklyinserted into the cavity 12 a of casing 12. Optionally, when mounted toattachment member 18, display module 52 and switch board 86 are adaptedto align in a common plane with upper planar portion 84 a of platemember 84. In a similar manner, circuit board 22 is preferably generallyaligned in a common plane with circuit board 21 so that when fullyassembled attachment member 18 has a relatively compact and slimprofile.

Additionally, the interior mirror assembly may include a variety ofinformation displays such as a PSIR (Passenger Side InflatableRestraint) display, an SIR (Side-Airbag Inflatable Restraint),compass/temperature display, a tire pressure status display or otherdesirable displays, such as those described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/244,726, filed Feb. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,613,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

For example, the interior rearview mirror assembly may include a displayof the speed limit applicable to the location where the vehicle istraveling. Conventionally, speed limits are posted as a fixed limit (forexample, 45 MPH) that is read by the vehicle driver upon passing a sign.As an improvement to this, an information display (preferably analphanumerical display and more preferably, a reconfigurable display)can be provided within the vehicle cabin, readable by the driver, thatdisplays the speed limit at whatever location on the road/highway thevehicle actually is at any moment. For example, existing speed limitsigns could be enhanced to include a transmitter that broadcasts a localspeed limit signal, such signal being received by an in-vehicle receiverand displayed to the driver. The speed limit signal can be transmittedby a variety of wireless transmission methods, such as radiotransmission, and such systems can benefit from wireless transmissionprotocols and standards, such as the BLUETOOTH low-cost, low-power radiobased cable replacement or wireless link based on short-rangeradio-based technology. BLUETOOTH enables creation of a short-range(typically 30 feet or so although longer and shorter ranges arepossible), wireless personal area network via small radio transmittersbuilt into various devices. For example, transmission can be on a 2.45gigahertz band, moving data at about 721 kilobits per second, or faster.BLUETOOTH, and similar systems, allow creation of an in-vehicle areanetwork. Conventionally, features and accessories in the vehicle orwired together. Thus, for example, an interior electrochromic mirror andan exterior electrochromic mirror is connected by at least one wire inorder to transmit control signal and the like. With BLUETOOTH andsimilar systems, control commands can be broadcast between the interiormirror and the exterior mirror (and vice versa) without the need forphysical wiring interconnecting the two. Likewise, the two exteriormirror assemblies on the vehicle can exchange, transmit and/or receivecontrol commands/signals (such as of memory position or the like such asis described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein) via an in-vehicle short-rangeradio local network such as BLUETOOTH. Similarly, tire pressure sensorsin the wheels can transmit via BLUETOOTH to a receiver in the interiormirror assembly, and tire pressure status can be displayed, preferablyat the interior rearview mirror. In the case of the dynamic speed limitsystem described above, preferably, the in-vehicle receiver is locatedat and/or the display of local speed limit is displayed at the interiormirror assembly (for example, a speed limit display can be located in achin or eyebrow portion of the mirror case, such as in the mirrorreflector itself, such as in the cover 40, or such as in a pod attachedto the interior mirror assembly). More preferably, the actual speed ofthe vehicle can be displayed simultaneously with and beside the localspeed limit in-vehicle display and/or the difference or excess theretocan be displayed. Optionally, the wireless-based speed limittransmission system can actually control the speed at which a subjectvehicle travels in a certain location (such as by controlling an enginegovernor or the like). Thus, a school zone speed limit can be enforcedby transmission of a speed-limiting signal into the vehicle. Likewise,different classes of vehicles can be set for different speed limits forthe same stretch of highway. The system may also require driveridentification and then set individual speed limits for individualdrivers reflecting their skill level, age, driving record and the like.Moreover, a global positioning system (GPS) can be used to locate aspecific vehicle, calculate its velocity on the highway, verify what theallowed speed limit is at that specific moment on that specific stretchof highway, transmit that specific speed limit to the vehicle fordisplay (preferably at the interior rearview mirror that the driverconstantly looks at as part of the driving task) and optionally alertthe driver or retard the driver's ability to exceed the speed limit asdeemed appropriate. A short-range, local communication system such asenvisaged in the BLUETOOTH protocol finds broad utility in vehicularapplications, and particularly where information is to be displayed atthe interior mirror assembly, or where a microphone or user-interface(such as buttons to connect/interact with a remote wireless receiver) isto be located at the interior (or exterior) rearview mirror assembly.For example, a train approaching a railway crossing may transmit awireless signal such as a radio signal (using the BLUETOOTH protocol oranother protocol) and that signal may be received by and/or displayed atthe interior rearview mirror assembly (or the exterior sideview mirrorassembly). Also, the interior rearview mirror and/or the exterior sideview mirrors can function as transceivers/display locations/interfacelocations for intelligent vehicle highway systems, using protocols suchas the BLUETOOTH protocol. Protocols such as BLUETOOTH, as known in thetelecommunications art, can facilitate voice/data, voice over data,digital and analogue communication and vehicle/external wirelessconnectivity, preferably using the interior and/or exterior mirrorassemblies as transceiver/display/user-interaction sites. Electronicaccessories to achieve the above can be accommodated in casing 12,and/or elsewhere in the interior mirror assembly (such as in the housingdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/433,467 filed Nov. 4,1999 titled “Vehicle Interior Mirror Assembly” to Patrick Heslin andNiall R. Lynam, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,613.

Referring to FIG. 8, a second embodiment 210 of the interior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention is illustrated. Mirror assembly210 includes a mirror case 212, a bezel 213, a reflective element 214which is supported in case 212 by bezel 213, and an actuator 224.Similar to the first embodiment, reflective element 214 includes awindow W which provides a display area 220 preferably positioned at alower central edge of element 214 and a light module 219 (FIGS. 9 and13). Bezel 213 includes an enlarged chin area 215 as in embodiment 10with a plurality of transverse openings 215 a therethrough for receivinga user actuatable interface, including user actuator buttons 216 a.Buttons 216 a are preferably formed on a key pad 216. Similar to thefirst embodiment, key pad 216 preferably comprises a resilienttranslucent material, such as silicone rubber, and includes a pluralityof buttons 216 a, with each button preferably being translucent andoptionally including indicia formed thereon to provide an indication ofthe function for the respective button. In the illustrated embodiment,key pad 216 includes three buttons. Alternatively, key pad 216 mayinclude a single button or a plurality of buttons, less than or greaterthan three, including indicators, as previously described in referenceto the first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, reflective element 214 comprises aprismatic reflective element having a wedge shaped cross section. Aswill be more fully described in reference to actuator 224, rotation of aknob 408 (FIG. 10) pivots mirror case 12, including bezel 13 andreflective mirror element 14, about a pivot axis 352 a (FIG. 10) therebychanging the position of the prismatic mirror element from a highreflectivity day viewing position in which incident light is reflectedto the user's eye from the highly reflective surface 214 a on rearsurface 214 b of reflective element 214 to a reduced reflectivity orpartial reflectance night viewing position in which a reduced amount ofthe incident light on mirror element 214 is reflected from the uncoatedfront surface 214 c of reflective mirror element 214.

Mounted to rear surface 214 b of reflective element 214 is an attachmentmember 218. Similar to the previous embodiment, attachment member 218includes a light module 219 which displays or illuminates indicia (FIG.15) on a display module 252, which can be viewed through window W ofreflective mirror element 214. Mounted to rear surface 218 a ofattachment member 218 are first and second circuit boards 221 and 222,which may support various electrical and electronic devices, describedpreviously in reference to the first embodiment and below. Also mountedto attachment member 218 below display module 252 is a switch board 286,which includes a plurality of switches and light sources, preferablyLEDs, associated with each respective button 216 a on key pad 216, in asimilar manner to the previous embodiment. Optionally positioned in case212 are a pair of light modules 242 and a microphone module 244.Reference is made to the first embodiment for further details of theassembly and mounting arrangements of light assemblies 242 andmicrophone module 244.

Referring to FIG. 13, attachment member 218 includes a resinouspolymeric plate member 284 with upper and lower portions 284 a and 284b, with portion 284 b being offset from portion 284 a rearwardly fromreflective element 214. As best seen in FIGS. 13C and 13D, upper portion284 a forms an acute angle with respect to front surface 284W of lowerportion 284 b so that when attachment member 218 is mounted onto rearsurface 214 b of prismatic reflective element 214 a, display module 252and switch board 286 will be properly oriented with respect to window Wand key pad 216, which can be appreciated more fully by reference toFIG. 10.

Referring again to FIG. 13, light module 219 includes a generallyelongate rectangular body 300, which defines upper, lower, and left andright sides 302, 304, 306, and 308, respectively. Recessed in body 300in a similar manner to the previous embodiment, are a plurality ofcavities 310, 312, and 314. Extending around each cavity is a perimeterwall 310 a, 312 a, and 314 a, respectively, for resting on respectiverecessed landing surfaces 278 a, 276 a, and 274 a of display module 252,similar to the previous embodiment (FIGS. 15A and 15B). Display module252 includes a display element 254 and a carrier member or frame 258which is mounted to rear surface 254 a of element 254 (FIG. 15B). Frame258 includes a base wall 266 and a perimeter wall 206 which definesupper, lower, and side walls 262, 264, 263 a, and 263 b, respectively.Base wall 266 includes a plurality of openings 274, 276, and 278, thusexposing discrete regions or areas of element 254 on which the indiciaare located. In this manner, when display module 252 is mounted toattachment plate 218 on projecting flanges or snap fingers 288, openings278, 276, 274 align with cavities 310, 312, and 314, respectively.Furthermore, since perimeter walls 310 x, 312 a, and 314 a rest onrecessed landing surfaces 278 a, 276 a and 274 a, respectively, lightleakage is substantially reduced between the respective portions ofdisplay area 220. Similar to the previous embodiment, upper and lowerwalls 262 and 264 include a plurality of elongate slots or openings 265for receiving snap fingers 288 therein for releasably securing displaymodule 252 to attachment member 218.

Mounted to rear surface 218 a of attachment member 218 is circuit board222 (FIG. 13), which carries a plurality of light sources 223, with eachlight source being associated with a respective opening 318 of cavities310, 312, and 314, similar to the previous embodiment. Thus, whencircuit board 222 is mounted to rear surface 218 a of attachment member218 on flexible flanges 330, which project rearwardly from offsetportion 284 above and below light module 219, light sources 223 arepositioned in respective recesses 334 formed on rear surface of body310. In order to ease alignment of circuit board 222 on attachment plate218, circuit board 222 includes a slotted groove 222 a and a transverseopening 222 b, which respectively align with guide pins 330 a, whichproject rearwardly from offset portion 284 b.

Switch board 286 is mounted below display module 252 on attachmentmember 218 (FIGS. 9 and 10) by way of flexible flanges 342 which projectoutwardly from lower portion 284 b and downwardly extending flexibleflanges 348 provided on upper portion 284 a of plate 284. Preferably,plate 284 includes a recessed tab 347 offset from the plane of plateupper portion 284 a similar to attachment plate 18, which provides aseat for switch board 286.

Referring again to FIG. 9, circuit board 221, which mounts ontoattachment member 218 via flexible flanges 350 projecting rearwardlytherefrom (FIG. 13B), supports a connector 221 b on its rear surface 221a, for example a 16-pin connector, for connecting to the vehicleelectrical system and on board computer just as in embodiment 10. Inaddition, mounted to circuit board 221 are a pair of bulb holders 258 a,which support bulbs 258 b downwardly and at an angle for illuminatinglight assemblies 242 in a similar manner to the first embodiment.Circuit board 221 also supports a pair of switches 268 with buttons 268a for actuating light assemblies 242 also similar to the previousembodiment. When fully assembled as shown in FIG. 10, attachment member218 includes light module 219, switch board 286, circuit boards 221 and222 and is adhered to rear surface 214 b of reflective element 214 suchthat display module 252 aligns with window W and the switches on switchboard 286 align with respective buttons 216 a on key pad 216. As such,attachment member 218 forms a unitary assembly and inserts into mirrorassembly 210 like a cartridge. Referring again to FIG. 13B, attachmentplate 218 preferably includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs 218 b onoffset portion 284 b of plate 284. Ribs 218 b provide reinforcement forlower portion of offset portion 284 b, which supports switch board 286.Furthermore, as best seen in FIG. 10, an outer bracket 340 of actuator224 optionally includes a projecting flange 442 (also shown in FIG. 14)which engages central rib 218 b′ to provide further support forattachment plate 218.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 14, and 14A-14H, mirror case 212 is mounted onsupport arm 228 by actuator 224. Actuator 224 pivots case 212 between aday time high reflectance viewing position and a night time reducedreflectance viewing position. Actuator 224 includes an outer actuatorbracket 340 and an inner actuator bracket 342. Referring to FIGS. 14Eand 14F, inner bracket 342 includes a ball mount 344 which is engaged bysupport 228, similar to the previous embodiment. Ball mount 344 mayinclude a transverse opening 344 a extending therethrough to provide analternate or additional route for wiring to pass into mirror ease 212.Support arm 228 receives a ball mount 230 from a mirror mount 232, whichpreferably comprises a break-away mount and attaches to a windshieldmirror mount button or to a headliner, as is known in the art. Ballmount 344 preferably comprises a zinc die-cast ball mount which isinsert molded with body 346 of inner bracket 342. Body 346 includes agenerally planar base member 348 with a reinforced collar 350 in whichball mount 344 is insert molded. Bracket 342 also includes a pivotmember 352 which is spaced from body 348 by arms 354 and 355, whichdefine therebetween spaced openings 356. Projecting downwardly from body346 is a guide member 358, preferably a cylindrical pin, which impartsthe pivotal movement to ease 212 as will be more fully described below.

Referring to FIG. 14E, body 348 is reinforced by a first plurality ofwebs 360 a arranged around the perimeter 362 of body 348 and a secondplurality of radial webs 360 b which terminate at a cylindrical web 364,which is aligned along a central axis 365 that extends through thecenter of collar 350 and ball mount 344. Transverse opening 344 a ispreferably aligned with collar 350 to define a passage through ballmount 344 inner bracket 342. It should be understood that body 348 mayalso comprise a solid body with a transverse opening for aligning withopening 344 a.

Referring again to FIG. 14, outer bracket 340 includes an upper wall366, a lower wall 368, and opposed side walls 370 which define a centralopening 372 in which inner bracket 342 is positioned. Upper wall 366includes an E-shaped recess 374 which defines a pair of projectingflanges 376. Spaced above recess 374 is a slotted opening 378, which isused to position outer bracket onto back wall 238 of case 212 byaligning with a projecting flange 380 provided on back wall 238 of case212 (FIG. 10). Also provided along side walls 370 are a pair ofprojecting tabs or flanges 382 which respectively include slottedopenings 384 for aligning with projecting flanges 386 also provided onback wall 238 of case 12 (FIG. 11). As previously noted, outer bracket340 is heat staked onto mounting bosses 234 and 236, which are receivedin openings 388 provided at the opposed corners of bracket 340. Similarto the previous embodiments, bracket 340 is also heat staked ontoflanges 380 and 386. Optionally, one of the openings 388 a may beenlarged to ease assembly.

As best seen in FIG. 10, outer bracket 340 is mounted on pivot member352 which is received in recess 374 on flanges 376, with flanges 376extending into openings 356 of inner bracket 342. Thus, outer bracket340 is pivotally mounted on inner bracket 342 on pivot member 352 abouta pivot axis 352 a. In addition, with inner bracket 342 being positionedin central opening 372 between side walls 370 and flanges 376 extendinginto openings 356, inner bracket 342 acts a stop to limit lateralmovement of outer bracket 340 and, therefore, mirror case 212 withrespect to support 228. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 14 a, bottom wall 368of outer bracket 340 includes a semi-circular offset wall portion 390,which defines an elongated passage or opening 392 for receiving a cammember 394. Semi-circular wall portion 390 is preferably reinforced byupper and lower flanges 396 a and 396 b. Upper reinforcing flange 396 aalso supports a pin 398, which will be more fully described below.

Cam member 394 includes a body with a first cylindrical portion 400defining a transverse passage 402 therethrough, and a second cylindricalbody portion 404 which similarly includes a transverse passage 406extending therethrough. Transverse passage 406 defines a guide path forcam member 394 (FIGS. 14I and 14J) when actuator handle 408 is rotated,as will be more fully described below. First cylindrical portion 400 isseated in opening 392 of lower wall 368 of outer bracket 340, whilesecond portion 404 is positioned above reinforcing flange 396 a forreceiving pin 358 of inner bracket 340 in passage 406. As best seen inFIGS. 14M and 14N, when seated in passage 406, pin 358 is held betweenthe parallel side walls forming passage 406 which further reduces thelateral movement between outer bracket and inner bracket but in adirection that is generally orthogonal to the lateral restraint providedbetween inner bracket 342 and sides walls 370 to thereby further enhancethe stability of the mirror case 12 on bracket 342.

As shown in FIG. 10, first cylindrical portion 400 is held in opening392 by handle 408 and wedge-shaped flange 430. Handle 408 includes aknob portion 410 and a shaft 412. Shaft 412 of handle 402 extendsthrough an opening 414 provided in bottom wall 250 of case 212 and intopassage 402. As best seen in FIGS. 14K and 14L, knob 410 includes aflange 416 which bears against outer surface 250 a of bottom wall 250and further provides a stop for handle 408. Shaft 412 includes aplurality of longitudinally extending ribs 418 and, further, an enlargedend or retaining head 420 which is defined at the distal end of shaft412. Ribs 418 engage corresponding grooves 422 provided in passageway402 so that rotation of knob portion 410 imparts rotation of cam member394. Grooves 422 a terminate at cylindrical portion 404, which overlayscylindrical body 400. In this manner, enlarged side wall portion 404 aof cylindrical body 404 provides a stop for shaft 412 within passage402. When positioned in passageway 402, each respective rib 418 isaligned in its respective groove and further, enlarged end 420 projectsabove upper surface 400 a (See FIG. 10). Enlarged end 420 provides abearing surface for semi-circular portion 404 b of cylindrical body 404and, further, provides a stop for knob 408. When cylindrical portion 400of actuator cam 394 is positioned in opening 392 of outer bracket 224,enlarged end 420 is axially restrained in transverse passage 402 by awedge-shaped stop 424 (FIG. 14) formed or provided on upper flange 396 aof bottom wall 368. Wedge-shaped stop 424 also provides stops forcylindrical portion 404 of actuator cam member 394 which define day andnight viewing positions for cam member 394, as will be more fullydescribed below.

As previously noted, pin 358 of inner bracket 342 extends intopassageway 406 of cylindrical portion 404 of actuator cam 394 whenactuator cam 394 is positioned on lower wall 368 of outer bracket 224.Passageway 406 is a generally L-shaped passageway with first and secondsemi-circular portions 406 a and 406 b which define first and secondlocations or positions for pin 358, which also correspond to day andnight viewing positions of outer bracket 352 and, therefore, case 212.Referring to FIGS. 14M and 14N, actuator cam member 394 also includes amounting structure 426, for example a pin, for a spring 428, preferablya coil spring which is mounted on one end 428 to pin 426 and on secondend 428 b to pin 398. Pin 398 optionally includes a groove 398 a (FIG.14A) to provide a seat for end 428 b of spring 428. In a similarfashion, engagement structure or pin 426 of actuator cam member 394 mayinclude a similar groove to seat second end 428 a of spring 428 onactuator cam member 394. Spring 428 provides a resistance for therotational movement of actuator cam member 394 in opening 392 and,furthermore, applies a biasing force to actuator cam 394 to frictionallyengage inner surface 392 a of semicircular offset portion 390 to providea smooth action for the actuator. In addition, spring 428 urges cammember against downwardly projecting member 358, thus reducing andlimiting the relative lateral movement between outer bracket 340 andprojecting member 358. When combined with the lateral support providedby inner bracket 342 to outer bracket 340, actuator assembly 224exhibits reduced play between case 212 and support arm 228 thusimproving the vibration characteristics of mirror assembly 210. Againreferring to FIGS. 14M and 14N, when knob 410 is positioned as shown inFIG. 14M, actuator cam 394 is rotated in opening 392 clockwise to afirst position in which side wall 404 c of cylindrical portion 404 bearsagainst side 430 a of wedge-shaped stop 430, thus positioning cam member394 and, therefore, outer bracket 340 in a day viewing position in whichinner bracket 342 is generally vertically oriented within opening 372 ofouter bracket 340. In preferred form, outer bracket 340 includes a pairof stops 440 which limit movement of outer bracket 340 with respect toinner bracket 342. As best seen in FIG. 14N, when knob 410 is rotated toa counter clockwise position (shown in phantom), actuator cam member 394is likewise rotated counter clockwise such that pin 358 of inner bracket342 is located in a second position 406 b in actuator cam 394, whichpivots outer bracket 340 about pivot axis 352 a to a night time viewingposition for case 12. In addition, side wall 404 d of portion 404 bearsagainst side 430 b of stop 430. As knob 410 rotates about its axis ofrotation 410 a, spring 428 is extended, thus provided resistance to therotation of knob 410. When 410 is rotated ninety degrees to its nighttime viewing position, spring 428 returns to its first extended length.

In preferred form, actuator inner bracket 342 and outer bracket 340comprise a resinous polymeric or plastic material and, more preferably,from a mineral filled polypropylene, such as glass or mineral fillednylon, similar to bracket 24. Actuator cam member 394 preferablycomprises a low friction polymeric material and, most preferably, anacetal material, for example TICONA SELCON M90, which is a low frictionmaterial and, thus, provides a smooth movement for actuator handle 408.

Thus, a prismatic mirror assembly is provided that is assembled from aplurality of common components that may alternately be used to form theelectro-optic mirror assembly of the first embodiment and, further,which provide a compact carrier for backlighting a display on thereflective element and supporting a plurality of electrical andelectronic components. In addition, the prismatic mirror assemblyincludes an actuator which provides a smooth position changer andincludes a more stable arrangement which is easy to assemble and, moreover, which improves the vibration characteristics of the mirrorassembly.

The rearview mirror assemblies of the present invention can include awide variety of electrical and electronic devices incorporated thereinand further utility functions, such as described in U.S. patentapplication entitled REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH UTILITY FUNCTIONS,filed Nov. 24, 1999, by Barry W. Hutzel, Niall R. Lynam, and Darryl P.DeWind, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,172, which is herein incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. For example, rearview mirrorassemblies may include: antennas, including GPS or cellular phoneantennas, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552; a communicationmodule, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688; displays such asshown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,240 or in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/244,726, filed Feb. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,613; blind spotdetection systems, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,929,786 or5,786,772; transmitters and/or receivers, such as garage door openers, adigital network, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575; ahigh/low head lamp controller, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,715,093; a memory mirror system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,796,176; a hands-free phone attachment, a video device for internalcabin surveillance and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and 5,877,897 and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/433,467, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,613; a remote keyless entryreceiver; map lights, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,938,321;5,813,745; 5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756; or 5,178,448; microphonesand/or speakers, such as disclosed in U.S. patent applications, Ser. No.09/361,814, filed Jul. 27, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,642, and Ser.No. 09/199,907, filed Nov. 25, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,610; acompass, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,212; seat occupancydetector; a trip computer; an ONSTAR® System or the like, with all ofthe referenced patents and applications being commonly assigned toDonnelly Corporation, the disclosures of which are herein incorporatedby reference in their entireties. Other features which can beincorporated include: a baby minder system, such as the vehicle interiormonitoring system described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,897 and 5,760,962 orthe rear vision system described in U.S. patent applications, Ser. No.09/361,814 filed Jul. 27, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,642, and Ser.No. 09/199,907 filed Nov. 25, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,610, andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/433,467 filed Nov. 4, 1999 titled“Vehicle Interior Mirror Assembly” to Patrick Heslin and Niall R. Lynam,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,613, all of which are incorporated by referencein their entireties herein.

For example, a camera, such as a CMOS or CCD camera, can be mounted toview the rear seat area of the vehicle so that the driver can view whatis occurring, such as in a rear seat mounted baby seat or with a rearseat passenger such as children. Preferably, to enable viewing of therear seat occupant or occupants even by night, the target field of viewof the camera may be illuminated in a manner that provides adequatevisibility for the camera to discern what is occurring in the rear seatin a darkened vehicle cabin but not illuminating in a manner that causesglare, distraction, and/or discomfort to any vehicle occupants,including the driver and/or rear seat passengers. For example, such arear seat monitoring camera illumination is preferably achieved usingdirected low level non-incandescent light sources, such as lightemitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting material,electroluminescent sources, and the like, and most preferably suchnon-incandescent sources are low power and are directed low intensitysources, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,321 and U.S. patentapplication entitled “INTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLEINCORPORATING A SOLID-STATE LIGHT SOURCE”, Ser. No. 09/287,926, filedApr. 7, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,172, which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties. A baby minder camera may be mounted asa part of the rearview mirror assembly and, most preferably, may bemounted as a part of a header, including a front header of a roof or arear header of a roof. It may be desirable to mount a baby minder camerait to the rear header of a roof when it is desirable to view rear facingchild support seats. Most preferably, a plurality of at least two, morepreferably at least four, and most preferably at least six LEDs aremounted with a camera (such as to form a ring around the camera) withthe light projected from the individual LEDs directed to be coincidentwith the camera field of view and to illuminate the target area desiredto be viewed. The LEDs being directed low level sources will not glareor cause discomfort to occupants when illuminated. Further,non-incandescent camera illumination sources can be illuminated wheneverthe ignition switch is on to operate the vehicle or at least when theignition switch is placed in “an accessory on” position so that both thecamera and illumination lights are operating on vehicle battery powereven when parked. Alternately, the illumination lights can beoperational only when the baby minder camera is selected to beoperational. While it is preferred to use non-incandescent lights, suchincandescent light sources can be used, most preferably high intensity,low current incandescent light sources. An interior surveillance systempermits the driver of the vehicle to observe behavior or the activitiesof babies or children or other passengers seated in the rear seat. Thisis especially advantageous when the child or baby is in a rearwardfacing car seat, where the child or baby would ordinarily not bevisible. For example, a camera, such as a CMOS or CCD camera, can bemounted to view the rear seat area of the vehicle so that the driver canview what is occurring, such as in a rear seat mounted baby scat or witha rear seat passenger such as children. Preferably, to enable viewing ofthe rear seat occupant or occupants even by night, the target field ofview of the camera may be illuminated in a manner that provides adequatevisibility for the camera to discern what is occurring in the rear seatin a darkened vehicle cabin but not illuminating in a manner that causesglare, distraction, and/or discomfort to any vehicle occupants,including the driver and/or rear seat passengers.

Furthermore, the mirror assemblies of the present invention mayincorporate a navigation system, such as described in as described inU.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/131,593, filed Apr. 29, 1999,entitled VEHICLE-BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH SMART MAP FILTERING,PORTABLE UNIT HOME-BASE REGISTRATION AND MULTIPLE NAVIGATION SYSTEMPREFERENTIAL USE, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Alternately or in addition, the modular aspects of the presentinvention can be combined with or incorporate a wide variety of otherinterior rearview mirror assemblies including electrically operatedcompass mirrors such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,109;electrically operated interior rearview mirrors incorporating mapreading lights such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,646,210; 4,733,336;4,807,096; and 5,178,448; and electrically operated automaticallydimming mirrors such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,793,690;4,799,768; 4,886,960; and 5,193,029; mirror assemblies incorporating GPSsuch as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/569,851, filedDec. 8, 1995, by Roger L. Veldman and Desmond O'Farrell for “A VEHICLEGLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM NAVIGATIONAL AID”, now U.S. Pat. No.5,971,552; mirrors including head light controls, such as disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/621,863, filed Mar. 25, 1996, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,796,094, entitled “VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL USINGIMAGING SENSOR”; mirrors incorporating displays, such as disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/244,726, filed Feb. 5, 1999,entitled “REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING VEHICLE INFORMATIONDISPLAY”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,613, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,240 for“DISPLAY FOR AUTOMATIC REARVIEW MIRROR”; mirrors incorporating blindspot detection systems, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,240;U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,687; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/799,734, entitled “VEHICLE BLIND SPOT DETECTION AND DISPLAY SYSTEM”,filed Feb. 12, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,772; and mirrorsincorporating remote transaction systems, such as disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/057,428, filed Apr. 8, 1998, for “AVEHICLE MOUNTED REMOTE TRANSACTION INTERFACE SYSTEM”, now U.S. Pat. No.6,158,655; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575; all commonly assigned toDonnelly Corporation, Holland Mich. and the disclosures of which areherein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

It can be appreciated from the foregoing that the present inventionprovides a modular design in which a plurality of common components maybe assembled to form either a prismatic mirror assembly or anelectro-optic interior mirror assembly. For example, both the bracketand actuator bracket of the electrochromic and prismatic mirrorassemblies are staked into the respective casing using identicalmounting posts and tabs. The attachment member of both assemblies usecommon components and combines similar features in similar locationsthus simplifying the assembly process of the respective attachmentmember. In addition, the attachment member provides light assemblieswhich have an appropriate setback to provide adequate spacing betweenthe display module and the light sources so that the light is defusedenough to create uniform light across the display. Furthermore, thelight module is adapted to substantially reduce and preferably eliminatelight leakage between the chambers of the respective light assembliesand, therefore, only illuminate the selected indicia. Since theattachment member of the respective mirror assemblies comprises a fullyassembled electronic electrical device carrier or cartridge, theassembly process of the mirror assemblies is greatly simplified. Tofurther simplify the assembly process, the attachment member isconfigured such that the attachment member can be inserted into therespective casing in one orientation only. Additionally, since the ribsand extensive webbing in the conventional electrochromic mirror casingsare eliminated, the casing of the electrochromic assembly has now evenmore room for other electrical or electronic devices within casing 12.Moreover, the present design allows for greater flexibility, for exampleif a ball end version is desired, a respective bracket may be stakedwith a socket as opposed to the ball mount. Moreover, the actuatorbracket of the prismatic mirror assembly provides a more stable mountingfor the mirror case. Further, the attachment member provides impactabsorbing characteristics and significantly reduces the risk of thereflective element shattering and more preferably breaking in the eventof an impact.

While several forms of the invention have been shown and described,other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore,it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings anddescribed above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by theclaims which follow as interpreted wider the principles of patent lawincluding the doctrine of equivalents.

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle,said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror casing; areflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, andwherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparentsubstrate; a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, whereinsaid circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of saidreflective element; a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to saidcircuit board; said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to saidcircuit board providing backlighting for a display element; wherein saiddisplay element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, andwherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at apartially transmissive and significantly reflective region of saidreflective element where said display element is disposed rearward ofsaid reflective element; wherein, with at least some of said pluralityof light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, lightemitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through saiddisplay element and through said partially transmissive andsignificantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewingof displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with saidinterior rearview mirror assembly; a light reflecting element disposedbetween said circuit board and said display element; said lightreflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough; whereinindividual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said lightemitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said lightreflecting element; and wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicleviewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence ofsaid display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partiallytransmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflectiveelement is substantially not apparent until at least one of saidplurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
 2. The interior rearviewmirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said light reflectingelement comprises curved reflecting surfaces at or near said respectiveopenings.
 3. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 2,wherein said curved reflecting surfaces at or near said respectiveopenings comprise parabolic reflecting surfaces.
 4. The interiorrearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein, at least some ofthe individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emittingdiodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective elementindividually nest into respective cavities at said respective openingsof said light reflecting element, and wherein individual respectivecavities of said light reflecting element comprise a curved reflectingwall.
 5. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1,wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of lightemitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of saiddisplay element.
 6. The interior rearview mirror assembly according toclaim 5, wherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated,said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii)alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.
 7. The interiorrearview mirror assembly according to claim 6, wherein a selected set oflight emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes isactuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, andwherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, someof said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of lightemitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others ofsaid actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of lightemitting diodes.
 8. The interior rearview mirror assembly according toclaim 1, wherein at least some light emitting diodes of said pluralityof light emitting diodes are nested in said light reflecting element. 9.The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein saiddisplay element is operable to provide at least one of (i) analphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconisticdisplay and (iv) a symbolic display.
 10. The interior rearview mirrorassembly according to claim 1, wherein said display element mounts at afront portion of said light reflecting element, and wherein said circuitboard mounts at a rear portion of said light reflecting element.
 11. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, comprising anattachment element at the rear of said reflective element, and whereinsaid circuit board is mounted at said attachment element.
 12. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 11, wherein saidattachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymericmaterial, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflectiveelement and a second side opposite said first side and facing away fromsaid reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachmentelement is attached at the rear of said reflective element and whereinsaid circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachmentelement.
 13. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim12, wherein said plate-like structure of said attachment element isadhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element.
 14. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidplurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six light emittingdiodes.
 15. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 14,wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least sixwhite light-emitting light emitting diodes.
 16. The interior rearviewmirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of lightemitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting lightemitting diodes.
 17. The interior rearview mirror assembly according toclaim 16, wherein said plurality of white light-emitting light emittingdiodes is arranged in a matrix array.
 18. The interior rearview mirrorassembly according to claim 17, wherein said matrix array comprises alinear array.
 19. The interior rearview mirror assembly according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises anarray of light emitting diodes.
 20. The interior rearview mirrorassembly according to claim 19, wherein said array of light emittingdiodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes.
 21. The interiorrearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality oflight emitting diodes comprises at least six white light-emitting lightemitting diodes arranged in a matrix array.
 22. The interior rearviewmirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reflective elementcomprises a prismatic reflective element and wherein said transparentsubstrate comprises a front surface and a rear surface and wherein theplane of said rear surface is angled relative to the plane of said frontsurface, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at said rearsurface of said transparent substrate of said prismatic reflectiveelement, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirror assembly isnormally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of the equippedvehicle views said mirror reflector through said front surface of saidtransparent substrate.
 23. The interior rearview mirror assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises anelectro-optic reflective element having a front transparent substrateand a rear transparent substrate with an electro-optic medium disposedtherebetween and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by aperimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substratecomprises said rear transparent substrate of said electro-opticreflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of theequipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said fronttransparent substrate and through said electro-optic medium.
 24. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein saidsurface of said rear substrate at which said mirror reflector isdisposed opposes said electro-optic medium, and wherein saidelectro-optic medium contacts said mirror reflector.
 25. The interiorrearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lightemitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mountedto the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflectiveelement.
 26. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim25, wherein other electrical components are mounted to said circuitboard.
 27. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 26,wherein at least one other electrical component is mounted to the sideof said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.
 28. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 27, wherein said atleast one other electrical component mounted to the side of said circuitboard facing away from said reflective element comprises an electricalconnector.
 29. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim27, wherein a plurality of electrical components is mounted to the sideof said circuit board facing away from said reflective element.
 30. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 27, wherein said atleast one other electrical component comprises at least one of (a) anelectrical switch, (b) an electrical connector and (c) a light assembly.31. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid display element is operable to display an alert associated with adriver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.
 32. The interiorrearview mirror assembly according to claim 31, wherein said displayelement is operable to display information derived from a traffic signexterior the equipped vehicle.
 33. The interior rearview mirror assemblyaccording to claim 32, wherein said traffic sign display comprises aspeed limit display.
 34. The interior rearview mirror assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein said mirror casing is adjustable via a ball andsocket joint and wherein a ball member of said ball and socket jointcomprises a passageway therethrough for wiring to pass into said mirrorcasing.
 35. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1,comprising a carrier disposed in said mirror casing, said carriersupporting said display element and said circuit board, wherein saidcarrier supports at least one switch for actuating a vehicle function,and wherein said carrier comprises a plate member, said plate memberhaving a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from saidreflective element from said first portion, and said second portionincluding said display element, and wherein said carrier supports saidplurality of light emitting diodes, and wherein each of said lightemitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is isolatedfrom adjacent light emitting diodes wherein light leakage between therespective adjacent light emitting diodes is substantially reduced, andwherein said carrier includes a divider wall between adjacent lightemitting diodes.
 36. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable foruse in a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising: amirror casing; a reflective element comprising at least one transparentsubstrate, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface ofsaid transparent substrate; a circuit board having circuitry establishedthereat, wherein said circuit board is disposed in said mirror casingrearward of said reflective element; a plurality of light emittingdiodes mounted to said circuit board; said plurality of light emittingdiodes mounted to said circuit board providing backlighting for adisplay element; wherein said display element is disposed rearward ofsaid reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is presentand uninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantlyreflective region of said reflective element where said display elementis disposed rearward of said reflective element; wherein, with at leastsome of said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated toemit light, light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passesthrough said display element and through said partially transmissive andsignificantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewingof displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with saidinterior rearview mirror assembly; a light reflecting element disposedbetween said circuit board and said display element; said lightreflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough; whereinindividual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said lightemitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said lightreflecting element; wherein at least some of the individual lightemitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned withrespective openings of said light reflective element individually nestinto respective cavities at said respective openings of said lightreflecting element; and wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicleviewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence ofsaid display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partiallytransmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflectiveelement is substantially not apparent until at least one of saidplurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
 37. The interiorrearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein selected lightemitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes areactuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, andwherein, with said selected light emitting diodes actuated, said displayelement displays at least one of (i) an icon, (ii) alphanumericinformation and (iii) symbolic information.
 38. The interior rearviewmirror assembly according to claim 37, wherein a selected set of lightemitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatablefor selective backlighting of said display element, and wherein, withsaid selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, some of saidactuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emittingdiodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others of saidactuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of light emittingdiodes.
 39. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36,wherein said respective cavities of said light reflecting elementcomprise respective curved reflecting walls, and wherein said displayelement is operable to provide at least one of (i) an alphanumericdisplay, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) asymbolic display.
 40. The interior rearview mirror assembly according toclaim 36, comprising an attachment element at the rear of saidreflective element, wherein said circuit board is mounted at saidattachment element, and wherein said attachment element comprises aplate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, comprising a firstside facing towards said reflective element and a second side oppositesaid first side and facing away from said reflective element, andwherein said first side of said plate-like structure of said attachmentelement is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective elementand wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of saidattachment element.
 41. The interior rearview mirror assembly accordingto claim 36, wherein at least one of (i) said plurality of lightemitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes, (ii) saidplurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six whitelight-emitting light emitting diodes, (iii) said plurality of lightemitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting lightemitting diodes, (iv) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprisesa plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in amatrix array, (v) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises atleast six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in amatrix array, and (vi) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprisesan array of light emitting diodes.
 42. The interior rearview mirrorassembly according to claim 36, wherein one of (a) said reflectiveelement comprises a prismatic reflective element and wherein saidtransparent substrate comprises a front surface and a rear surface andwherein the plane of said rear surface is angled relative to the planeof said front surface, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed atsaid rear surface of said transparent substrate of said prismaticreflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of theequipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front surfaceof said transparent substrate, and (b) said reflective element comprisesan electro-optic reflective element having a front transparent substrateand a rear transparent substrate with an electro-optic medium disposedtherebetween and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by aperimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substratecomprises said rear transparent substrate of said electro-opticreflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of theequipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said fronttransparent substrate and through said electro-optic medium.
 43. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein saidlight emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aremounted at the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflectiveelement, and wherein other electrical components are mounted to saidcircuit board, and wherein at least one other electrical component ismounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from saidreflective element.
 44. The interior rearview mirror assembly accordingto claim 36, wherein said display element is operable to display analert associated with a driver assistance system of the equippedvehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display element isoperable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior theequipped vehicle and (b) said display element is operable to displayinformation derived from a speed limit sign exterior the equippedvehicle.
 45. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim36, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said lightreflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rearportion of said light reflecting element.
 46. An interior rearviewmirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearviewmirror assembly comprising: a mirror casing; a reflective elementcomprising at least one transparent substrate, and wherein a mirrorreflector is disposed at a surface of said transparent substrate; acircuit board having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuitboard is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflectiveelement; a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuitboard; said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuitboard providing backlighting for a display element; wherein said displayelement is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and whereinsaid mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partiallytransmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflectiveelement where said display element is disposed rearward of saidreflective element; wherein, with at least some of said plurality oflight emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emittedby said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said displayelement and through said partially transmissive and significantlyreflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayedinformation by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interiorrearview mirror assembly; a light reflecting element disposed betweensaid circuit board and said display element; said light reflectingelement having a plurality of openings therethrough; wherein individuallight emitting diodes of said plurality of said light emitting diodesare aligned with respective openings through said light reflectingelement; wherein said light reflecting element comprises curvedreflecting surfaces at or near said respective openings; whereinselected light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emittingdiodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of said displayelement; and wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing saidreflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly isnormally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said displayelement rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissiveand significantly reflective region of said reflective element issubstantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of lightemitting diodes is actuated.
 47. The interior rearview mirror assemblyaccording to claim 46, wherein a selected set of light emitting diodesof said plurality of light emitting diodes is actuatable for selectivebacklighting of said display element, and wherein, with said selectedset of light emitting diodes actuated, some of said actuated lightemitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes providehigher backlighting intensity than others of said actuated lightemitting diodes of said selected set of light emitting diodes.
 48. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein atleast some of the individual light emitting diodes of said plurality oflight emitting diodes aligned with respective openings of said lightreflective element individually nest into respective cavities at saidrespective openings of said light reflecting element, and wherein saidrespective cavities of said light reflecting element comprise respectivecurved reflecting walls, and wherein said display element is operable toprovide at least one of (i) an alphanumeric display, (ii) a graphicaldisplay, (iii) an iconistic display and (iv) a symbolic display.
 49. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, comprising anattachment element at the rear of said reflective element, wherein saidcircuit board is mounted at said attachment element, and wherein saidattachment element comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymericmaterial, and comprises a first side facing towards said reflectiveelement and a second side opposite said first side and facing away fromsaid reflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachmentelement is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective elementand wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of saidattachment element.
 50. The interior rearview mirror assembly accordingto claim 46, wherein at least one of (i) said plurality of lightemitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes, (ii) saidplurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six whitelight-emitting light emitting diodes, (iii) said plurality of lightemitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting lightemitting diodes, (iv) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprisesa plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in amatrix array, (v) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises atleast six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in amatrix array, and (vi) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprisesan array of light emitting diodes.
 51. The interior rearview mirrorassembly according to claim 46, wherein one of (a) said reflectiveelement comprises a prismatic reflective element and wherein saidtransparent substrate comprises a front surface and a rear surface andwherein the plane of said rear surface is angled relative to the planeof said front surface, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed atsaid rear surface of said transparent substrate of said prismaticreflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of theequipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said front surfaceof said transparent substrate, and (b) said reflective element comprisesan electro-optic reflective element having a front transparent substrateand a rear transparent substrate with an electro-optic medium disposedtherebetween and wherein said electro-optic medium is bounded by aperimeter seal, and wherein said at least one transparent substratecomprises said rear transparent substrate of said electro-opticreflective element, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of theequipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said fronttransparent substrate and through said electro-optic medium.
 52. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, wherein saidlight emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes aremounted at the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflectiveelement, and wherein other electrical components are mounted to saidcircuit board, and wherein at least one other electrical component ismounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from saidreflective element.
 53. The interior rearview mirror assembly accordingto claim 46, wherein said display element is operable to display analert associated with a driver assistance system of the equippedvehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display element isoperable to display information derived from a traffic sign exterior theequipped vehicle and (b) said display element is operable to displayinformation derived from a speed limit sign exterior the equippedvehicle.
 54. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim46, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said lightreflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rearportion of said light reflecting element.
 55. An interior rearviewmirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearviewmirror assembly comprising: a mirror casing; an electrochromicreflective element comprising a front transparent substrate and a reartransparent substrate with an electrochromic medium disposedtherebetween and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by aperimeter seal, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surfaceof said rear substrate, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of theequipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said fronttransparent substrate and through said electrochromic medium; a circuitboard having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit boardis disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element; aplurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board; saidplurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit boardproviding backlighting for a display element; wherein said lightemitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mountedat the side of said circuit board facing towards said reflectiveelement, and wherein other electrical components are mounted to saidcircuit board; wherein said display element is disposed rearward of saidreflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is present anduninterrupted at a partially transmissive and significantly reflectiveregion of said reflective element where said display element is disposedrearward of said reflective element; wherein, with at least some of saidplurality of light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light,light emitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through saiddisplay element and through said partially transmissive andsignificantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewingof displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with saidinterior rearview mirror assembly; a light reflecting element disposedbetween said circuit board and said display element; said lightreflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough; whereinindividual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said lightemitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said lightreflecting element; and wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicleviewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence ofsaid display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partiallytransmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflectiveelement is substantially not apparent until at least one of saidplurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
 56. The interiorrearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein a selected setof light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes isactuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, andwherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, someof said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of lightemitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others ofsaid actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of lightemitting diodes.
 57. The interior rearview mirror assembly according toclaim 55, wherein at least some of the individual light emitting diodesof said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned with respectiveopenings of said light reflective element individually nest intorespective cavities at said respective openings of said light reflectingelement, and wherein said respective cavities of said light reflectingelement comprise respective curved reflecting walls, and wherein saiddisplay element is operable to provide at least one of (i) analphanumeric display, (ii) a graphical display, (iii) an iconisticdisplay and (iv) a symbolic display.
 58. The interior rearview mirrorassembly according to claim 55, comprising an attachment element at therear of said reflective element, wherein said circuit board is mountedat said attachment element, and wherein said attachment elementcomprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material, andcomprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and asecond side opposite said first side and facing away from saidreflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachmentelement is adhesively attached at the rear of said reflective elementand wherein said circuit board is mounted at said second side of saidattachment element.
 59. The interior rearview mirror assembly accordingto claim 55, wherein at least one of (i) said plurality of lightemitting diodes comprises at least six light emitting diodes, (ii) saidplurality of light emitting diodes comprises at least six whitelight-emitting light emitting diodes, (iii) said plurality of lightemitting diodes comprises a plurality of white light-emitting lightemitting diodes, (iv) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprisesa plurality of white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in amatrix array, (v) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises atleast six white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in amatrix array, and (vi) said plurality of light emitting diodes comprisesan array of light emitting diodes.
 60. The interior rearview mirrorassembly according to claim 55, wherein at least one other electricalcomponent is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away fromsaid reflective element.
 61. The interior rearview mirror assemblyaccording to claim 55, wherein said display element is operable todisplay an alert associated with a driver assistance system of theequipped vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said display elementis operable to display information derived from a traffic sign exteriorthe equipped vehicle and (b) said display element is operable to displayinformation derived from a speed limit sign exterior the equippedvehicle.
 62. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim55, wherein said display element mounts at a front portion of said lightreflecting element, and wherein said circuit board mounts at a rearportion of said light reflecting element.
 63. An interior rearviewmirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said interior rearviewmirror assembly comprising: a mirror casing; an electrochromicreflective element comprising a front transparent substrate and a reartransparent substrate with an electrochromic medium disposedtherebetween and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by aperimeter seal, and wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surfaceof said rear substrate, and wherein, when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the driver of theequipped vehicle views said mirror reflector through said fronttransparent substrate and through said electrochromic medium; a circuitboard having circuitry established thereat, wherein said circuit boardis disposed in said mirror casing rearward of said reflective element; aplurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit board;wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality ofwhite light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrix array;said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to said circuit boardproviding backlighting for a display element; wherein said displayelement is disposed rearward of said reflective element, and whereinsaid mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at a partiallytransmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflectiveelement where said display element is disposed rearward of saidreflective element; wherein, with at least some of said plurality oflight emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emittedby said actuated light emitting diodes passes through said displayelement and through said partially transmissive and significantlyreflective region of said reflective element for viewing of displayedinformation by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interiorrearview mirror assembly; a light reflecting element disposed betweensaid circuit board and said display element; wherein said displayelement mounts at a front portion of said light reflecting element, andwherein said circuit board mounts at a rear portion of said lightreflecting element; said light reflecting element having a plurality ofopenings therethrough; wherein individual light emitting diodes of saidplurality of said light emitting diodes are aligned with respectiveopenings through said light reflecting element; wherein at least some ofthe individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emittingdiodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective elementindividually nest into respective cavities at said respective openingsof said light reflecting element, and wherein individual respectivecavities of said light reflecting element comprise a curved reflectingwall; and wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing saidreflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly isnormally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence of said displayelement rearward of said mirror reflector at said partially transmissiveand significantly reflective region of said reflective element issubstantially not apparent until at least one of said plurality of lightemitting diodes is actuated.
 64. The interior rearview mirror assemblyaccording to claim 63, wherein selected light emitting diodes of saidplurality of light emitting diodes are actuatable for selectivebacklighting of said display element, and wherein a selected set oflight emitting diodes of said plurality of light emitting diodes isactuatable for selective backlighting of said display element, andwherein, with said selected set of light emitting diodes actuated, someof said actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of lightemitting diodes provide higher backlighting intensity than others ofsaid actuated light emitting diodes of said selected set of lightemitting diodes.
 65. The interior rearview mirror assembly according toclaim 63, wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality oflight emitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of saiddisplay element, and wherein, with said selected light emitting diodesactuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon,(ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.
 66. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein saiddisplay element is operable to display an alert associated with a driverassistance system of the equipped vehicle.
 67. The interior rearviewmirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein a plurality of electricalcomponents is mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away fromsaid reflective element.
 68. The interior rearview mirror assemblyaccording to claim 67, wherein one of said plurality of electricalcomponents mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away fromsaid reflective element comprises an electrical connector.
 69. Aninterior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, saidinterior rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror casing; areflective element comprising at least one transparent substrate, andwherein a mirror reflector is disposed at a surface of said transparentsubstrate; a circuit board having circuitry established thereat, whereinsaid circuit board is disposed in said mirror casing rearward of saidreflective element; a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to saidcircuit board; said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to saidcircuit board providing backlighting for a display element; wherein saiddisplay element is disposed rearward of said reflective element, andwherein said mirror reflector is present and uninterrupted at apartially transmissive and significantly reflective region of saidreflective element where said display element is disposed rearward ofsaid reflective element; wherein, with at least some of said pluralityof light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, lightemitted by said actuated light emitting diodes passes through saiddisplay element and through said partially transmissive andsignificantly reflective region of said reflective element for viewingof displayed information by a driver of a vehicle equipped with saidinterior rearview mirror assembly; a light reflecting element disposedbetween said circuit board and said display element; said lightreflecting element having a plurality of openings therethrough; whereinindividual light emitting diodes of said plurality of said lightemitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through said lightreflecting element; a circuit board assembly comprising an attachmentelement, said display element, said light reflecting element and saidcircuit board, said attachment element providing support for saiddisplay element, said light reflecting element and said circuit board,and wherein said circuit board assembly is attached at the rear of saidreflective element; wherein, to the driver of the equipped vehicleviewing said reflective element when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted in the equipped vehicle, the presence ofsaid display element rearward of said mirror reflector at said partiallytransmissive and significantly reflective region of said reflectiveelement is substantially not apparent until at least one of saidplurality of light emitting diodes is actuated.
 70. The interiorrearview mirror assembly according to claim 69, wherein said attachmentelement comprises a plate-like structure, formed of polymeric material,and comprises a first side facing towards said reflective element and asecond side opposite said first side and facing away from saidreflective element, and wherein said first side of said attachmentelement is attached at the rear of said reflective element.
 71. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 69, wherein saidcircuit board assembly is adhesively attached at the rear of saidreflective element.
 72. The interior rearview mirror assembly accordingto claim 71, wherein said attachment element comprises a plate-likestructure, formed of polymeric material, comprising a first side facingtowards said reflective element and a second side opposite said firstside and facing away from said reflective element, and wherein saidfirst side of said plate-like structure of said attachment element isadhesively attached at the rear of said reflective element and whereinsaid circuit board is mounted at said second side of said attachmentelement.
 73. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim71, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises at leastsix white light-emitting light emitting diodes arranged in a matrixarray.
 74. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 73,wherein said light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emittingdiodes are mounted to the side of said circuit board facing towards saidreflective element and wherein other electrical components are mountedto said circuit board.
 75. The interior rearview mirror assemblyaccording to claim 74, wherein at least one other electrical componentis mounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from saidreflective element.
 76. The interior rearview mirror assembly accordingto claim 75, wherein said at least one other electrical componentmounted to the side of said circuit board facing away from saidreflective element comprises an electrical connector.
 77. The interiorrearview mirror assembly according to claim 69, wherein at least some ofthe individual light emitting diodes of said plurality of light emittingdiodes aligned with respective openings of said light reflective elementindividually nest into respective cavities at said respective openingsof said light reflecting element, and wherein individual respectivecavities of said light reflecting element comprise a curved reflectingwall.
 78. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 77,wherein selected light emitting diodes of said plurality of lightemitting diodes are actuatable for selective backlighting of saiddisplay element and wherein, with said selected light emitting diodesactuated, said display element displays at least one of (i) an icon,(ii) alphanumeric information and (iii) symbolic information.
 79. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 78, wherein saidreflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element havinga front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate with anelectrochromic medium disposed therebetween and wherein saidelectrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein saidat least one transparent substrate comprises said rear transparentsubstrate of said electrochromic reflective element, and wherein, whensaid interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in theequipped vehicle, the driver of the equipped vehicle views said mirrorreflector through said front transparent substrate and through saidelectrochromic medium and wherein said surface of said rear substrate atwhich said mirror reflector is disposed opposes said electrochromicmedium, and wherein said electrochromic medium contacts said mirrorreflector.
 80. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim79, wherein said display element is operable to display an alertassociated with a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle. 81.The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 79, whereinsaid display element is operable to display a compass heading.